Car-coupling



z. A. & W. J. SHER'AM.

UAR COUPLING Patented-Dec. 26, 1893.

m a a w. z

UNTTED STATES PATENT Three.

ZACK A. SHERAM AND WADE J. SHERAM, OF EAST POINT, GEORGIA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 511,654, datedDecember. 26, 1893.

Application filed July 8, 1893. Serial No. 479,923. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, ZACK A. SHERAM and WADE J. SHERAM,citizensoftheUnited States, residing at East Point, in the county of Fulton andState of Georgia, haveinventeda new and useful Oar-Coupling, of whichthe following 'is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in car-couplings.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction ofcar couplings, to provide one which will couple automatically, and whichmay be readily uncoupled without necessitating going between the cars,and to prevent a draw-head from dropping and falling upon the trackshould it become disconnected from the car.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings ands pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the dra\vings-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a car couplingconstructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontalsectional view showing two draw-heads coupled. Fig. 3 is a detailperspective view of the releasing bar. Fig. 4. is a similar View of thepivoted spring actuated jaw.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

1 designates a draw-head, having a longitudinal opening or cavity 2 andprovided at one side of the opening or cavity 2 with a pair of integralvertically aligned hooks 3, having laterally disposed outwardlyextending heads 4 forming shoulders adapted to be engaged by a pivotedspring actuated jaw 5 of asimilar draw-head. The vertically alignedforwardly projecting hooks 3 are provided with coupling pin perforations6, and are adapted to be coupled by a pin and link with the ordinaryform of pin and link couplings, and with automatic couplings similar tothe J anney coupling.

The spring actuated jaw 5 is pivotally mounted by a Vertical pin 7 atone side of the longitudinal opening of the draw-head; it has its frontface beveled, and is provided at its rear edge with a vertical shoulder8 to engage the hooks of a similar draw-head; and

it is provided with an inwardly extending arm 9, between which and theadjacent side of the draw-head is interposed a spiral spring 10 forholding the jaw in engagement with the hooks. The spiral spring has itsinner end arranged in a socket of the arm 9, and its outer end isarranged in an opening 11 of the adjacent side of the draw-head andbears against a detachable plate 12, which is designed to be removed toenable the spiral spring to be inspected and adjusted in properposition.

The spring actuated jaw is opened by a releasing bar 13, which isvertically mounted in an opening of the draw-head, and is provided withan inclined shoulder 14 arranged to engage the inner end of the arm ofthe spring actuated jaw to force the latter outward to release the hooksof a similar draw-head for uncoupling. As the releasing bar 13 movesupward, the inclined shoulder or face 14 forces the arm and the jawoutward; and the releasing bar is provided intermediate of its ends witha stop shoulder 15 to limit its upward movement. The upper end of thereleasing bar is connected by a cap 13 with an arm 16 of the rock-shaft17, extending transversely of the car 18 and terminating in handles toenable the operation of uncoupling to be performed from the sides of thecar, without going between it and another car.

Any suitable means may be provided to enable the operation of uncouplingto be performed from the top of the car; and the releasing bar isextended below the draw-head; and when the latter is mounted on theplatform of a passenger car suitable mechanism can be readily connectedwith the extended lower end of the releasing bar for uncoupling.

When draw-heads are coupled the hooks are arranged within the opening ofa drawhead; and should either of a pair of coupled draw-heads becomedisconnected from its car it would be impossible for it to becomeuncoupled and drop upon the track and forming an obstruction forwrecking or otherwise injuring cars behind it.

It will be apparent that the car coupling is simple, inexpensive, strongand durable, that it is positive and reliable in its operation, and thatit is capable of automatic coupling and ready uncoupling without goingbetween cars.

Changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of constructionmay be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificingany of the advantages of this invention.

The arm of the spring actuated jaw is offset,and is arranged in acorresponding recess in the adjacent side of the draw-head, and forms aknuckle joint.

The car coupling is capable of coupling at different elevations as thehooks are adapted to straddle the top or bottom of the drawhead withonly one of them in engagement with theljaw. It is also capable ofcoupling with twin-jaw car couplings of the Janney type.

What I claim is 1. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-headprovided with a longitudinal cavity, a hook forked integral with andprojecting outward from the front of the draw-head and arranged to enterthe cavity of asimilar draw-head, and a movable jaw concealed within thecavity, substantially as described.

2. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head having alongitudinal opening and provided atone sidethereof withapair ofvertically aligned forwardly projecting hooks having laterally extendingshoulders, and a horizontallyswinging pivoted jaw mounted within thedraw-head and adapted to engage hooks of a similar draw-head,substantially as described.

3. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head having alongitudinal opening and provided at one side thereof with integralhooks projecting forward from the draw-head, a horizontally swingingspring actuated jaw pivotally mounted in the draw-head, and a releasingbararranged to engage the jaw to move the latter inward,substantially asand for the purpose described.

4. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head having alongitudinal opening and provided at one side thereof with integralhooks projecting forward from the draw-head, a horizontally swingingspring actuated jaw having a vertical shoulder and provided with aninwardly extending arm, and a vertically movable releasing bar having aninclined shoulder engaging the arm of the jaw, substantially asdescribed' 5. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head having alongitudinal opening and provided with forwardly projecting hooks andhaving at one of its sides an opening 11, a horizontally swinging jawpivotally mounted in the draw-head and having an inwardly eX- tendingarm, a spiral spring interposed between the arm and the adjacent side ofthe draw-head and arranged at the opening 11, a removable plate securedto the draw-head and covering the opening 11, and a vertically movablereleasing bar having an inclined shoulder to engage the arm of the jawand provided with a stop shoulder, substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have heretoaffixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

\Vitnesses:

J. H. BELLEIsLE, V. WILSON.

